Global Health

Global Hearing Health is a new focus of HEI, through its own efforts in humanitarian otology (Neurotology Clinical Fellows spend a rotation on humanitarian worldwide otology) and through a collaboration with Global ENT Outreach.

HEI partners also with the international arm of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Foundation, through the humanitarian committee, the Panamerican committee, and efforts by individual HEI scientists and physicians. Ongoing collaborative global health projects are underway in China, Ecuador, Peru, Malawi, and Paraguay.

Dr. Sigfrid Soli, Senior Clinical Research Scientist, is co-director of a clinical research program at West China Hospital of Sichuan University in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, where he is a Guest Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology. The goal of this research program is to develop pediatric outcome assessment materials and protocols for use with very young hearing impaired children who are treated with hearing aids or cochlear implants. The materials and protocols are based on the prior work of pediatric audiologists at the House Ear Institute and the House Clinic. This research has resulted in the development of evidence-based best practices for early intervention programs that can be used throughout China.